This weekend will see the removal of all of the red and white traffic barriers on the north side of Broad Street and the ones to the west of the bus stop on the south side. The barriers east of the bus stop on the south side will remain in place for now to provide additional space for people to practice safe social distancing while queueing outside shops and around the bus stop in front of the post office.
In the Council meeting on 17 September, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “I am very keen to return Wokingham Town centre to as near normal as possible following the COVID related restrictions introduced when shops first reopened on 15th June, the aim is to assist business and also make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road and taxis to operate.
"Following conversations with local shopkeepers arranged by local town Councillors Julian McGhee Sumner and Phil Cunnington, and several meetings with shopkeepers representatives and the Town Council, I am pleased to advise that, following the successful removal of barriers from Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road, we have agreed that the COVID barriers at the Northern side of Broad Street from Natwest Bank will be removed this weekend restoring the taxi rank.
"If this is successful we have scheduled removal of all the remaining barriers on the weekend of the 26/27th.
"At the request of the Town Council and the trader’s representatives the barriers on the PO side of the road will not be removed until the 26/27th at the earliest.
"We will also be adding some more signage to remind people to socially distance and also to support the local businesses.
Work to remove the barriers from the north side of Broad Street will take place from 5am on Saturday September 19. Traffic access will be maintained throughout.
